Machine for processing meat or the like



Patented Nov. 31970 Sheet F/GZ United States Patent [72] inventors Siegfried Stephan and 3,053,297 971962 Bruendler 146/192 Fritz Otto, Hameln (Weser), Germany 3,149,653 9/ 1964 Schnell 146/ 192 [211 A PP- N 629,484 FOREIGN PATENTS [22] Filed Apr. 10, 1967 1,035,511 7/1958 Germany lT46/192 Continuation of Ser. No. 0 49,27s,Aug. 12, 1960, abandoned, whichis 1,532,876 9/1958 Gef'ant 146/ 192 acomnuatiomimpan of Sen No. ,013 12/1954 Belgium 146/192 359,543, Apr. 7, 1964, now U.S. Pat. No. Primary Examiner-.W. Graydon Abercrombie 3,313,332. Attorney-Michael S. Striker [45] Patented Nov. 3, 1970 n [73] Assignee By mesne assignments to Blender Trust Reg. VaduzLiechtenstein [32] Priority Aug. 12, 1959 [33] Germany ABSTRACT: The bowl of a meat-processing machine has two [3l] St. 15,455 t superimposed chambers which are separated from each other by an adjustable outlet. Meat is admitted into the upper l 54] MACHINE FOR PROCESSING MEAT OR THE LIKE chamber where it undergoes agitation, coarse comminution, 8 Claims 5 Drawing Figs. mixing and/or another treatment, and is thereupon caused to pass through the outlet and through the lower chamber on its [52] U-S. Cl 146/192, way from the maghine. The lower chamber can accommodate 146/68 a conveyor which promotes the advance of material through [5 l] hlt. Cl BZC 18/12 [he outlet 0r one or more additional cutters, mixers, agitators fseal'ch 68, or analogous treating units` The conveyor comprises an im.. 192 peller which can be installed below the outlet to produce a pressure differential at the opposite sides ofthe outletso that [56] References cned the material is sucked into the lower chamber. The blade or UNITED STATES PATENTS blades of the impeller can subject meat to an agitating, com- 2,977,056 3/1961 Gustke 146/1 92X minuting or analogous action.

,/7 4i /q f-v l 40 :L 4m i 'Cntr 441/' ,44" l a* 4 2 j /0 Ja 1 MACHINE FOR PROCESSING MEAT OR THE LIKE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of our U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 49,278 filed Aug. l2, 1960, now abandoned, which application is a continuation-in-part of our copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 359,543, filed Apr. 7, 1964, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,332. A somewhat similar machine is also disclosed in the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 550,267, tiled by Otto on May 16, 1966, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee. Certain other details of our machine are disclosed in the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 489,658 of Otto, filed Sept. 23, 1965, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,773, and assigned to the same assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 'l` he present invention relates to machines for processing meat or like materials. More particularly, the invention relates to machines which may be utilized for continuous or discontinuous treatment of meat in raw or cooked form.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a meatprocessing machine with a novel conveyor which promotes the travel of material through one or more treating zones.

Another object of the invention is to provide a meatprocessing machine wherein the just mentioned conveyor may be removed when it is not needed and wherein such conveyor may be replaced by one or more devices or units which can subject the material to a further treatment.`

An additional object of the invention is to provide a meatprocessing machine which is more versatile than presently known machinesand which can be readily converted to carry out different treatments.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a meat-processing machine which can be furnished in any desired size or shape, for example, as a table model or as a large machine for use in mass-producing meat-processing plants or like establishments.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, inexpensive and rugged conveyor which can be used in a meat-processing machine of the above outlined character.

Another object of .our invention is to provide a conveyor which can be installed in presently known meat-processing machines.

An ancillary object ofthe invention is to provide a meatprocessing machine withl a plurality of auxiliaries one of which may be constituted by a conveyor of the above outlined character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which, in addition to effecting controlled advance of material through the meat-processing machine, is also capable of subjecting such material to one or more treatments before the material is allowed to leave the machine.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a meatprocessing machine of the above outlined characteristics wherein the material may be subjected to at least two but also to three or more basically or slightly different treatments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION entering through the inlet, and conveyor means for promotingV the evacuation of treated material through the outlet. Such conveyor means comprises means for producing a pressure differential at the opposite sides of the outlet. For example,

the conveyor means may include an impeller or an analogous rotor accommodated in a second chamber which is separated from the aforementioned'chamber by the outlet. The impeller is driven by the prime mover for the treating means or by a separate prime mover.

In accordance with another feature of our invention, the means for producing a pressure differential may be replaced by a second treating means so that the material issuing from the first mentioned chamber undergoes a secondary treatment. For example, the first treating means may include a coarse comminuting unit and the secondary treating means may include a fine comminuting unit. Alternatively, the first` treating means may include a simple agitating or mixing unit and the second treating means may include a further mixing unit, a coarse comminuting unit or a fine comminuting unit.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention arc sot forth in particular in the appended claims.

The improved machine itself, however. both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a meat-processing machine which can be utilized in the practice of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line Il-lI of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of an impeller which can be utilized in the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with our invention;

FIG. 4 is atop plan view of a ring which can be used with the impeller of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fine comminuting unit being replaced with the parts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. l and 2 show a meat-processing machine which comprises a hollow support or base 1 having two horizontal platforms la, lb which are located at different levels. The upper platform 1a supports a receptacle or bowl 4 and two treating units receiving motion from a driven vertical shaft 3 whose upper portion extends into the bowl 4 and the lower portion of which is journaled in antifriction bearings provided in a sleeve 2 forming part-of the base l. The upper portion of the shaft 3 carries a set of coarse comminuting elements 5 which are constituted by inclined bladelike cutters or knives, and an annular fine cutter 7a cooperating with a fixed ring-shaped cutter 7 which is mounted in the bottom part of the bowl 4. The comminuting elements 5 constitute a first treating unit and the cutters 7, 7a constitute a second treating unit.

The lower platform lbsupports a prime mover, here shown as a variable-speed electric motor 9, which forms part of the drive for the shaft 3. The motor 9 has a vertical output shaft 10 whose lower portion extends 'into the internal chamber 1c of the base 1. The drive further includes a transmission which is accommodated in the chamber 1c and includes two pulleys 11, 13 respectively mounted on the lower portions of shafts 10 and 3 as well as endless belts 12 which are trained around the pulleys. Itis clear that the pulleys 11, 13 and the belts l2 may be replaced by a sprocket and chain transmission.

The motor 9 rests on a plate 9a which is supported by the platform lb and is adjustable radially of the shan 3 to regulate l the tension of the belts 12. The means for regulating the tension of the belts comprises a pair of threaded spindles 9b which may be rotated with reference to the support l to thereby shift the plate 9a toward or away from the shaft 3. The plate 9a is Aguided in suitable ways (not shown) of the platform 1b.

The upper part 4m ofthe bowl 4 is provided with an exter nal bracket 4a which carries the prime mover 1S of an agitating device constituting a third treating unit. The prime mover 15 is a small electric motor which drives a belt or chain 16 passing through a hollow radial arm 4b of the part 4m to drive a sheave 16a on the shaft l4a of a bladelike agitator 14. The function ofthe agitator 14 is to move meat or other material to be treated from the internal surface of the bowl 4 into the range of the revolving coarse comminuting elements 5. The material is fed by gravity through the upper end or inlet 4u of the part 4m and may be supplied by an endless belt 17 or may be discharged from a suitable container (not shown) which may be mounted on or adjacent to the bowl 4. The material may be fed continuously or intermittently.

The bowl 4 is further provided with an adjustable outlet which regulates the fiow of'partially comminuted material into the range of the fine cutters 7, 7a. This outlet comprises a pair of horizontal apertured plates or disks 3, 8a mounted in the bowl 4 between the lower comminuting element 5 and the cutters 7, 7a. Each plate is provided with one or more apertures through which the material may descend from an upper chamber 4A into a lower chamber 4B of the bowl 4 and one of these plates can be rocked about the shaft 3 to a position in which the apertures of the plate 8a are out of registry with the apertures of the plate 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 8a is turnable by means of a handle 8b which extends from the bowl 4. This plate 8a can be moved to a plurality of positions to regulate the rate at which the material enters the lower chamber 4B or to seal the chambers 4A, 4B from each other. When the machine is started, the belt 17 is caused to admit meat into thc bowl 4 while the plate 8a is held in sealing position to prevent the flow of meat into the range of thc cutters 7, 7a. The motor 9 is operated at a reduced speed. The operator then causes the motor 9 to drive the shaft 3 at a higher speed and moves the plate 8a to a partly or fully open position so that the coarsely comminuted material begins to descend through the aperture or apertures of the plates 8, 8a and is subjected to a tine comminuting action. The finely com minuted material issues through a spout 18 and is discharged into a trough or into the bowl of a second comminuting machine, not shown.

The machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises a control stand I9 whose column 19a is mounted on a base l in front of the motor 9 and whose panel 19b carries all such switches, signal lamps, levers and other control elements which must be manipulated or observed by the person in charge. Such control elements include switches for starting, arresting and varying the speed of the motor l and/or 9 as well as additional elements whose type and number depends on the extent ofautomation ofthe comminuting machine. For example, the plate 8a could be turned by a servo and/or the plate 9a could be adjusted by an automatic mechanism.

The machine of FIGS. l and 2 may be built as a portable table model or as a large unit for use in industrial plants. The prime mover 9 may be installed below the bowl 4 so that its output shaft may replace the shaft 3. Such machine will occupy less floor space but will build higher.

The bowl 4 further comprises a lower part 4p which accommodates the plates 8, 8a and the fixed cutter 7 and is mounted directly on the platform la. The upper part 4m is coupled to the lower part 4p by a hinge 4c so that such upper part may be tilted about a horizontal axis to allow for convenient cleaning of the lower part 4p. A lever 4d can lock the upper part to the lower part.

Fine cutters of the type which may be utilized in the machine of FIGS. l and 2 are disclosed, for example, in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 489,658 of Otto.

The cutters 7, 7a are removable from the lower chamber 4B of the bowl 4 so that this chamber can receive a conveyor includng a rotor or impeller 20 (FIG. 3) serving to produce a pressure differential at the opposite sides of the outlet (plates 8, 8a) so that the material is sucked from chamber 4A into chamber 4B prior to being compelled to pass through thc spout 18. The impeller 20 comprises a disk 2li having a groove 22 for an axially parallel rib 23 on the shaft 3 (see FIG. l) and a set of, for example, four curved equidistant blades 24. The conveyor further includes a ring 25 (FIG. 4) which is received in the chamber 4B to take up space normally occupied by the cutter 7. The ring 25 has a groove 26 which can receivc a rib on the lower part 4p of the bowl 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the lower part 4p of the bowl 4 with impeller 20 and ring 25 properly mounted therein. The ring 25 is stationary.

The cutters 7, 7a can be replaced by the impeller 20 and ring 25 upon removal of cutters 5 and plates 8, 8a. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the shaft 3 carries three detachable sleeves 27, 28, 29 which fix the comminuting elements 5 to the shaft 3. Upon removal of these sleeves and elements 5, the operator gains access to and can remove the plates 8, 8a and thereupon the cutters 7, 7a. The cutters 7, 7a are then replaced by ring 25 and impeller 20.

The machine of our present invention can be operated in a number of ways as follows:

lf assembled in a manner as shown in FIGS. l and 2, the machine will treat meat in three stages. Material fed by the belt 17 will be agitated and mixed in the upper chamber 4A by the revolving agitator 14. Material entering the lower region of the chamber 4A will be subjected to a coarse comminuting action of elements 5 and the downwardly inclined elements 5 I will force coarsely comminuted material to pass through the registering apertures of plates 8, 8a and to enter the range of the rotary cutter 7a in the lower chamber 4B. The cutter 7a cooperates with the stationary cutter 7 and subjects coarsely comminuted material to a fine comminuting action, whereupon the finely comminuted material passes through the spout 18.

lf the motor 15 for the agitator 14 is arrested, material admitted through the inlet 4n of the upper chamber 4A will be subjected to a coarse and thereupon to a tine comminuting action. If the comminuting elements 5 are removed, material entering the chamber 4A will be mixed and kneaded by the agitator 14 and will pass through the apertures of plates 8, 8a to undergo a single (fine) comminuting action.

If the operator thereupon decides to replace the cutters 7, 7a with the ring 25 and impeller 20, coarsely comminuted material will be sucked from chamber 4A, through registering apertures of plates 8, 8a and into the lower chamber 4B. The blades 24 of the impeller 20 will spin the material in the chamber 4B and will force such material into the spout 18. The blades 24 can subject the material to a weaker or pronounced cutting or comminuting action and can agitato and knead such material prior to evacuation through the spout 18.

The operator might decide to remove the comminuting elements 5 and to use only the agitator 14 and impeller 20. The material which is fed by the belt 17 is then agitated in the upper chamber 4A and is sucked through the apertures of plates 8, 8a to undergo a second mixing (and eventually some comminuting) action in the lower chamber 4B prior to evacuation via spout 18. Also, the operator can arrest the agitator motor 15 and to use only the comminuting elements 5 and impeller 20. The material is then subjected to a coarse comminuting action during travel through the chamber 4A and is mixed and eventually subjected to additional comminuting action during travel through the chamber 4B.

The operation of the machine may be intermittent or continuous. For example, and assuming that the cutters 7, 7a of FIG. 1 are replaced by the impeller 20 and ring 25, the belt 17 can admit a batch of meat while the plates 8, 8a seal the upper chamber 4A from the lower chamber 4B. The material is then subjected to a coarse comminuting action which is repeated again and again because the agitator 14 returns into the range of comminuting elements 5 such material which has been forced to move toward the internal surface of the bowl 4. When the coarse comminuting action is completed, the operator opens a path for evacuation of material from the chamber 4A by changing the relative position of plates 8, 8a whereby the material enters the lower chamber 4B, not only by gravity feed and by the action of downwardly inclined comminuting elements 5, but also due to pressure differential produced by the blades 24 of the revolving impeller20. Such material is then mixed or kneaded again on its way from the apertures in the plates 8, 8a toward the spout 18.

The impeller may comprise more or fewer blades than shown in FlG. 3. Furthermore, this impeller can be `replaced by any other suitable device which promotes or causes the flow of material from the chamber4A by producing a pressure differential at the opposite sides of the plates 8, 8a or an analogous outlet. The sucking action of the impeller` will depend on the desired throughput of the machine and/or on the consistency of treated material.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

We claim:

l. A machine for processing meat and similar materials, comprising: a receptacle having a first chamber provided with material-admitting inlet means and a second chamber located below said first chamber, material-evacuating outlet means provided in said first chamber and separating the same from said second chamber, said outlet means being adjustable at the will of an operator for entirely interrupting communication between said chambers as well as for establishing communication between the same and, in the latter case, for regulating the rate of material flow from said first chamber into said second chamber; comminuting means provided in said first chamber and arranged to comminute the material entering via said inlet means; separate rotary agitating means arranged in said first chamber spaced from said comminuting means for agitating the material therein and for moving material into the operative range of said comminuting means; and conveyor means for promoting the evacuation of material from said first chamber through said outlet means, said conveyor means comprising means for producing a pressure differential at the opposite sides of said outlet means.

2. A machine as defined in claim l, wherein at least a portion of said conveyor means is accommodated in said second Y chamber.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for producing said pressure differential includes a rotor adjacent to said outlet means in said second chamber and arranged to draw the material through said outlet means.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said rotor is constituted by an impeller.

5. A machine as defined in claim 3, further comprising a prime mover for said treating means, said prime mover including a rotary shaft extending into said first chamber, said treating means comprising at least one rotary element connected with said shaft in said first chamber, said rotor being operatively connected with and receiving motion from said shaft.

6. A machine as defined in claim l, wherein the means for producing said pressuredifferential comprises a bladed irnpeller adjacent to said outlet means located in said second chamber, and further comprising a prime mover for rotating said impeller.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprising a rotary impeller which is removably accommodated in said second chamber so that said second chamber can receive second treating means upon removal of said impeller.

8. A machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said first-mentioned treating means comprises coarse comminuting means and said second treating means comprises fine comminuting means, 

